ADT Home Security System Cost & Package Pricing in 2024 | Security.org

How Much It’ll Cost You Monthly and More

ADT has a new security system out now, called ADT Plus. It works either as a professionally installed and monitored system or DIY installed system with optional professional monitoring. It also has revamped component looks and a new feature called Trusted Neighbor. Prices remain largely the same though, with professional monitoring ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month.

ADT is our top-pick home security system of 2024, because right now, it offers the most reliable monitoring service, best-in-class equipment, and most user-friendly apps on the market. But one potential downside of a security system of ADT’s caliber is the cost. You get top-quality home security, but at what cost to your wallet?

Well, buying a security system is a huge investment, so we want you to get the best value for your hard-earned money. And so on this page, we’ll talk about what it costs to set up an ADT system, how you can save, and a few tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your ADT purchase. We’ll also discuss some new features, including Trusted Neighbor, which we’ve been excited about since April.

FYI: ADT has made a lot of improvements to its pricing. For starters, it’s more transparent now, allowing customers to buy a security system online and letting them know the equipment cost upfront. Monitoring prices have also gone down, from up to $60 per month before to $29.99 per month now.

Before we go on, note that the last ADT system we tested was ADT Control, which has been replaced by ADT Plus since August. A DIY, self-monitored system called ADT Self Setup is also available. There were lots of changes, but pricing-wise, ADT remains an affordable, top-quality option.

The easiest way to get an ADT system setup is to start with a pre-packaged system. ADT offers these packages in tiers, starting with a Build Your Own option that includes just the main hub and a door/window sensor. The main purpose of this package is to let you customize your security system by adding the components you need.

Bigger packages are also available. Right now, ADT offers the Outdoor Video, Front Door Protection, and Total Safety package. Note that these bundles change up, so your best bet is to view ADT’s current packages.

If you need it, you can get help from an ADT security expert in building your system. They’ll give you a call or do an in-home walkthrough so they can suggest the best places to install sensors and which areas need extra security. There’s going to be some sales talk, but they’re not that pushy in our experience and it’s always a pleasure to hear the thoughts of another security expert.

If you prefer to do it your way, though, you can build your ADT security system package online. And sometimes, ADT throws in additional online-only deals. How it works is that you choose one from the packages available, and then expand it with additional equipment. You’ll see your cart total as you add more pieces, making it easy to work with a budget.

>> Ways to Save: ADT Promotions, Discounts, and Deals

Here’s some more details on what’s included in the ADT packages available right now:

Pro Tip: The Total Safety package often enjoys the biggest discounts. If you are building a comprehensive ADT security system and need all the pieces included in the package, you’ll save more if you start with the Total Safety package than if you customize from scratch with Build Your Own.

It may not seem like it, but ADT is actually quite flexible with its prices. Not that you can haggle – the prices themselves are set in stone – but you can choose how you want to pay.

The first option? Pay upfront. That means you’ll pay the full cost of the equipment so you only have to worry about the monthly monitoring fee going forward. If you go that route, though, expect to shell out hundreds of dollars upfront. The Build Your Own package alone starts at $269, while built-out packages start at $360.

Paying upfront is a good way to keep monthly costs down to $29.99 to $44.99 (the cost of professional monitoring), that’s why we always try to go that route. But if it’s not practical for you to shell out hundreds of dollars in one go, you can opt for the second option: financing.

It’s easier on the wallet, especially if you’re going to customize your system. That being said, you will have to go through a credit check. The only security systems that don’t require credit checks are those that don’t need financing.

Pro Tip: Remember how we said earlier that if you buy online, you can see your total package cost as you add more equipment? If you set your preferred financing term upfront, you’ll also see how much you’ll pay per month for your equipment.

If you’ve looked into ADT before, you probably think that it requires professional installation. That’s how they did it in the past, but the security systems ADT offers currently allows for both professional and DIY installation.

The former still requires a fee, and it scales with the size of your security system and the types of equipment being installed. It starts at about $100, but it can actually cost $200 or more if you’re having security cameras and smart home devices such as smart locks installed. It’s all worth it though. ADT is one of the best professionally installed security systems we’ve tested.

Now, with the new DIY installation option, you can set up your own security system. It takes time and effort; we’d say set aside a couple of hours. While the install process takes only about 30 minutes in our experience, we recommend checking and double-checking everything to make sure they’re installed up to specs. DIY installation is more prone to human error.

Pro Tip: There’s a third option – guided DIY installation via ADT Remote Assistance. It’s also free, but you’ll schedule a live video session with an ADT expert who will walk you through the installation procedure while you do it. This is perfect for beginners who have little experience with DIY security systems.

Next is professional monitoring. The monitoring fee covers the cost of 24/7 professional monitoring and could cost you from $29.99 to $44.99. The price depends on the features you want like cloud storage and the hardware in your home’s system.

A system that’s smart home capable with video monitoring will cost you the maximum of $44.99 per month, while a system with just security monitoring will cost you the least at $29.99 per month. There’s also a mid-tier option for $34.99 per month that includes security monitoring and smart home features, but no video.

Here’s an overview of those monitoring plans:

Professional monitoring allows ADT to monitor your security and safety equipment, from window sensors (above) to smoke alarms.

We commend ADT for lowering its monitoring costs, making its services more affordable and competitively-priced. Did you know that at one point, ADT’s monitoring ranged from $40 to $60 per month? We’re glad that’s no longer the case.

The new pricing makes ADT one of the more affordable choices for professional monitoring. For example, it’s cheaper than Frontpoint’s sole monitoring option that costs $49.99 per month. That plan includes features similar to ADT’s top-tier subscription (security monitoring, smart home, and video security), but costs $5 more. And for people who only want professional monitoring and nothing else, Frontpoint is more expensive by $20. Just think how much you’ll save throughout your three-year contract term – over $700!

Pro Tip: We recommend Frontpoint as a security system for large homes that need video security and smart home features, but that inflexible monitoring plan makes it an expensive option for apartments and condos that need just basic security.

>> Compare: ADT vs. Frontpoint

We think that ADT’s pricing is fair since its monitoring service is one of the best out there. As we mentioned in our ADT review, it has 12 monitoring centers, for starters, each in a different state. That gives ADT backup on top of backups, so it never really goes offline. And keep in mind, each of those 12 facilities come equipped with backup generators and servers.

The ADT control panel – both old (above) and new – also have a backup cellular chip for when your internet is down.

Feature-wise, we also learned from our testing that ADT has a new way to alert customers. That is, through the SMART Monitoring messaging system. It’s a text-based system that alerts multiple members of a household at once. And since it’s like a group chat, it makes collaboration between family members a lot easier.

In our experience, SMART Monitoring alerts come through about 15 seconds faster than the alert phone call from ADT. That’s another advantage. You can cancel or verify the alert through the messaging system, too. That means potentially faster dispatch in case of an emergency.

FYI: If they can’t reach you through text and call, ADT has another way of verifying alerts – through video. ADT offers cameras from Google Nest such as the Nest Cam (battery) we reviewed. If there’s an alarm, the monitoring center can check the camera live feeds to verify the incident before reporting it to the authorities.

>> Learn More: Answering Frequently Asked Questions About ADT

We have to warn you though that you might need to sign a three-year contract. That’s standard if you opt for professional installation. DIY-installed ADT systems, on the other hand, don’t require a contract.

The contract is the reason that we don’t recommend ADT if the monthly fee will stretch your budget or if you think your budget might change in the next few years. You have to make sure you can keep up on the payments for the whole time, because canceling an ADT contract early requires an early termination fee.

On the bright side, signing a contract means your rate is locked in for the whole term. This protects you from raising rates. Case in point, SimpliSafe’s plans and Cove’s plans both went up in price over the last years. Cove’s monthly rates jumped from $14.99 to $17.99, while SimpliSafe’s monitoring fee was raised to $21.99 and $31.99 for its two most popular plans.

Pro Tip: Installing your ADT system DIY lets you avoid the contract, but there are other good ADT alternatives with optional monitoring. Abode security comes to mind. It offers home security without monthly fees. But, if you want 24/7 monitoring, you can sign up on a month-to-month basis – no contract needed.

ADT’s pricing for its equipment and 24/7 monitoring service tend to run higher than the competition. But, when it comes to your home’s security, we think it’s better to pay a bit more to get top-tier service than to pay a lot less and put your home at risk. It’s all about getting the most value for your money. And in that case, ADT is a clear top choice.

Not only does ADT provide good equipment, it also offers good monitoring. The $29.99 to $44.99 that you pay per month gives you access to ADT’s monitoring network. Like we talked about before, it has a lot of backup measures in place to keep the network up at all times.

Here’s one more thing that gives ADT its value. It gives a wide choice of security equipment. And better yet, the system itself works together to give you and your home a high level of protection. For instance, with a video package, ADT cameras can record every event that happens in your home.

There are additional benefits, too, to getting an ADT monitoring plan. We’ll discuss one next – smart home with automation.

One of ADT’s main selling points today is its close partnership with Google Nest – one of the premiere smart home brands today that offer high-quality cameras, smart thermostats, smart speakers, and smart displays.

To be clear, a lot of security systems work with Google – particularly Google Assistant. But when we compared the best security systems that work with Google, ADT topped the list because it actually includes Google Nest equipment. All ADT security cameras are Nest Cams. You can also buy both Nest smart thermostats and several smart speakers and displays from ADT. And on top of all that, you can control and manage all those Nest equipment from your ADT+ app.

FYI: If you’re more of an Alexa fan, ADT works with Alexa too. You can control, manage, and monitor your ADT equipment using Alexa speakers and displays, but unlike with Google Nest equipment, you can’t control Alexa devices from the ADT+ app. ADT is still one of the top security systems for Alexa users, though.

Google Nest isn’t the only third-party smart home lineup ADT works with. When you build your ADT system, you’ll be able to choose smart home devices to integrate, from smart lights and smart locks to smart thermostats and mesh Wi-Fi routers. But simply connecting them to ADT isn’t the end goal. Rather, ADT offers ways for you to automate your home.

Home automation enables your smart home devices to act on their own – either by following a schedule or rules triggered by other devices. For example, our Nest Thermostat turns down the furnace as soon as we arm ADT to help us save on energy and heating costs. Our Yale smart lock also locks the front door automatically when we arm ADT at night.

It’s easy to set the Nest Learning Thermostat, but it’s even easier if it sets itself autonomously.

Take note that to enjoy smart home automation features, you’d need to sign up for the mid-tier Smart plan or higher. The entry-level secure plan doesn’t include automation features.

>> Other Options: The Best Smart Home Security Systems of 2024

Speaking of smart home and home automation, ADT has a new smart security feature equivalent to handing out trusted neighbors a copy of your keys. It’s actually better, because instead of giving them access to your house anytime (which is what happens if they have a physical key), ADT lets you set parameters on when they are allowed to use their access. Trusted Neighbor is the name of this feature.

Trusted Neighbor has three main components – the Google Nest Doorbell (or other Google Nest Cams), the ADT+ app, and a compatible smart lock. All those components come with the new ADT Plus security system.

First, the Nest Doorbell acts as your doorman, checking the faces of anyone who approaches your front door. If a person you added to your Trusted Neighbor list approaches, it sends a signal to the ADT+ app. The app uses numerous other signals to verify their identity (e.g. from their own ADT+ app), and once verified, the security system will disarm and the door will unlock.

You can control a lot of things to make the experience safer, more secure, and more convenient. For example, you can set time-based rules that limit their access to certain times of the day. You can also set event-based rules. For example, your trusted plumber can only use their access if your water sensor detects leaks.

We’re currently testing this feature and the new ADT Plus security system, but in theory, it’s one of the best uses of smart home technology we’ve seen thus far. Unlike other ADT smart home features, however, it requires a subscription to the top-tier Complete plan ($49.99 per month) to use Trusted Neighbor. That’s because security cameras are part of the setup.

Find out if ADT can protect your home like other home security systems

Are you still not sure if ADT is right for you? We squared it up with the best systems on the market to help you make a smart choice.

Let’s recap – ADT packages start at $269. The monthly fee for professional monitoring ranges from $29.99 to $44.99. The installation fee is optional, but starts at $100. There’s also a three-year contract if you get your system installed by a technician. Overall, ADT isn’t the most affordable home security system, but it’s an affordable one.

We’d recommend ADT to everyone, especially now that it offers DIY systems with optional monitoring. A flexible security system like that would work great for renters, whereas the professionally installed and monitored ADT system would provide solid coverage for homeowners.That being said, you get the most value if you enable professional monitoring. That’s ADT’s greatest strength, so using it as a self-monitored system only (which is possible only with the Self Setup option) would be like using a souped up racecar to pick up your kids from school. It works that way, but you’re not taking advantage of its full capabilities.

Overall, we rated ADT 9.8 out of 10. That should tell you that it has our approval and admiration. While it’s not perfect, it’s one of the best security systems you can buy right now.

That’s not all there is to know about ADT’s pricing. The lightning round starts now!

ADT does have a monthly fee for professional monitoring. The price for this service varies based on the hardware you buy with your system, but it starts at $29.99 per month. In addition, ADT lets you finance the cost of your hardware for up to 60 months. If you buy your equipment this way, you’ll have an extra monthly charge.

We think that ADT is worth the cost. With more than 140 years in business, it’s one of the most trusted security brands around. It also offers high-quality hardware, including cameras and smart devices from Google Nest. But our favorite is the monitoring service. With 12 facilities scattered throughout the country, ADT has a reliable monitoring network that can provide rapid response to alerts.

The cameras alone cost $99 to $279, depending on the model. The cheapest is the plugged-in indoor camera from Google Nest, while the most expensive is the hardwired outdoor camera with floodlights. In addition to the hardware, you’ll also need to pay a monthly fee for the monitoring service, which includes professional monitoring, cellular backup, and a Nest Aware cloud subscription, among other features. It costs $44.99 per month.

ADT’s shortest contract is 36 months (24 months in California). That can seem like a long time for a lot of us. So, ADT comes with a six-month money-back guarantee which lets you test the system before you commit.

Free equipment deals found on ADT’s official website are legitimate, but make sure to read the fine print to find out what you really need to get the deal. More often than not, it requires you to buy a specific package or spend a certain amount on equipment to get the offer.